CasaSugar

Before and After: Julie's Bright and Cheery Kitchen Makeover

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:00:21 -0700

Julie, who writes the awesome blog Mamaphunk, recently took her kitchen from drab to fab with a total makeover. She writes, "My husband and I did everything except install the cabinets and countertops, we're good but not that good! I wanted to go for an Anthropologie-like vibe and I think I did a decent job. I also love color and really wanted to make a splash."
Here's how the kitchen looked before Julie got started. To see how she infused this dull space with color and life, read more. I love the bright pops of green that have given this kitchen new life and energy. These two shades are ones that I would never have thought of putting together, yet I adore the effect. It's unexpected, lively, and fun. I'm also a huge fan of the tin tiles that Julie has used as a backsplash along the wall. And of course, the new cabinets and countertops are a huge improvement. Take the full tour when you check out the gallery!

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Do You Have any Furniture With Chicken Wire?

CasaSugar — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:30:12 -0700

Traditionally, farmhouse kitchens often featured furniture with panel doors covered with chicken wire or screening. Pie safes and cabinets with chicken wire were usually used to store cooking dishes and food items. I love the country look of this cabinet and wouldn't mind adding it to my own home.

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Do You Have Cabinets Under Your Bathroom Sink?

CasaSugar — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:25:07 -0700

I spotted this bathroom in the portfolio of interiors photographer Monica Bach, and it got me thinking about under-cabinet storage. I've found that having too much storage can quickly lead to collecting unnecessary junk - and that's certainly not fun come time for Spring cleaning. The legs and façade of this sink unit are really stunning, and having just a simple basket below for a few odds and ends lets them shine. What's your storage sitch?
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Cool Idea: A Kitty Litter Cabinet

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:00:30 -0800

Keep your house So Fresh and So Clean with a designated kitty-litter box cabinet. This Brookhaven Colony Recessed Cabinet (inquire for price) from Quintessentials was carved with a cat silhouette, so your feline knows where to go to . . . you know. It'll give the kitty-litter mess a hiding spot, whilst adding a cute factor to your cabinetry. Just don't forget to vacuum in there every once in a while. The only thing cuter would be if your kitty cleaned up after itself. But, the real question is: How does it stack up against the Kitty Washroom that 93 percent of readers said they loved?
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DIY: Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:50:01 -0700

Day-lab DIY posted before and after photos of the process of painting her kitchen cabinets, along with simple instructions for her readers to do the same. She went for '40s style inspired green cabinets with a white trim. The photos are so inspiring, especially for those of us burdened with dingy '60s cabinets, and not intimidating in the least. So, I thought I'd pass this project along.

Oil-based paint is the suggested paint of choice because it provides a lasting coat that won't peel off over time. If you're on a budget you can go for acrylic latex paint, but at least get a semi-gloss.

Here are the steps:

Remove the cabinet doors completely.
Remove the hardware.
Sand the cabinets until no glossy sheen is left.
Clean well with tack cloth.
Prime with a latex primer (i.e. Klitz).
Paint three coats of latex paint onto the cabinet surfaces and trims (i.e. green and white), or 2 coats of oil-based paint.
After the final coats dry, apply three clear protective coats of Polycrylic (if you used latex).

For more photos, tips and details on fixing your ugly cabinets, read more

Before:

During:

After:

Don't ever paint when it's raining. The paint will not cure properly, and your cabinets will have to be stripped and repainted.
Latex dries and can be re-coated in about an hour. After 45 minutes, make sure it doesn't feel sticky. If it does, wait until it feels dry and smooth.
Polycrylic water base dries in about 30 minutes to 40 minutes.
Oil base takes 24 to 48 hours to dry for one coat. So, it's faster to to do 6 coats of latex and polycrylic than 2 coats of oil base.
Latex washes up wet with soap and water, and dry with a little spritz of windex.
Oil base paint won't wash up with water, but will with some mineral spirits.
If you're replacing '60s hardware too, look for new hardware with screws spaced similarly, so they will fit the existing hardware.
If you're painting over old paint that is sloppy or drippy, there is no need to strip the old paint off. Just sand down the bumps and roughen up the rest of the surface, prime, paint, and seal.
An angled trim brush will give you more control, and small detail brushes are good for drips and panels.

See day-lab DIY's post.

Before and After: Boring China Cabinet to Fabulous Bookcase

Casa Community — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0800

Su Casa member LittleLeo recently transformed a dated china cabinet into a fabulous bookcase:
We inherited this piece from a friend who was getting a new dining room set. My husband couldn't understand why I wanted the cabinet and not the dining table too. I explained I had a vision for my home office. I sanded it all down and painted it matte black, wallpapered the back, and had acrylic shelves made. It has set the tone for the room and now the "office" doesn't take away from the living room. It actually adds an extra layer of function to the room, at least I think so.
To see LittleLeo's finished project, .

Have you made over any furniture lately? Be sure to add photos to our Su Casa group!

Crave Worthy: Victoria Cocktail Cabinet

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 05:30:00 -0800

You can't get away with serving two-buck Chuck and Popov from this magnificent Pedro Sousa Cocktail Cabinet ($22,750). Well, maybe you could, since your guests might be so distracted by the fabulousness of this cabinet they'd miss out on the bottles altogether.

The first of a collection of limited edition cabinets by the young Portuguese designer Pedro Sousa, who graduated from design school in 2002, this case piece is not only a sleekly luxurious and unusual confection, but an investment in fine art. Its base may look like cast iron, but it's actually hand-carved and lacquered wood, and its drawers are made of high quality leather. The exterior of the cabinet is akin to the Batmobile - multi-faceted, slick, and intimidating - but its sunshine-yellow interior pours a spoonful of fun into your domestic mixology.

Etsy Find: Jean Pelle Vanity Cabinet

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:15:35 -0800

My Etsy Finds normally fall under the categories of crafty things, textiles (napkins!), or artwork. But it's rare to find a furniture piece that's not just a reupholstered ottoman. So, I was surprised to come across this Jean Pelle Vanity Cabinet ($129). Quite the unique, modern piece, it's a small vanity cabinet with an extending side mirror, three interior storage cubes, an interior cork board, and door-front knobs to hang jewelry from. The cabinet is also fixed with a light bulb to illuminate while you're applying makeup or trying on jewelry. The cabinet can be attached to a wall or rested on a table. It's certainly not for a traditionalist, but for those with a contemporary home, it's a wonderfully functional piece to own.

Cool Idea: Cabinet Door Mirror

CasaSugar — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:30:49 -0700

In a Sydney home tour shot by photographer Todd Selby, I noticed this old cabinet door - check out the knobs in the center behind the plant - repurposed as a mirror, and love the look of it. I've seen old windows repurposed in plenty of ways (see here and here), but never a door. On second thought, this could be a window that opens outward. Regardless, I love how it's both thrifty and polished and how it upcycles something that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Have you repurposed any windows or doors in your home?

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Etsy Find: High Tea Spoon Cabinet

CasaSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:00:45 -0700

I've written about many common types of storage and even some that have stumped you. But, never a spoon cabinet. Only the Aussies (OK, and maybe the Brits) would designate an entire cabinet on the wall just for their spoons. I'll overlook this absurdity given my interest in the Tim Neve High Tea Spoon Cabinet ($45). The silverware storage unit received a modern update with a bold graphic illustration print used as a backing and a finish of glossy black paint, making it scrumptiously delightful. So, for those of you who have a vintage spoon collection, you can rest assured that you won't look one bit Granny for it — (even though you kind of are).